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LOWDEN.

VELOGIPEDE. No. 247,078. Patented Sept. 13,1881.

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NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE LOWDEN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 247,078, datedSeptember 13, 1881,

Application filed April 6, 1881. (No model.)

, York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Velocipedes, ofwhichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of velocipedes for which LettersPatent of the United States were granted to me October 26, 1880, No.233,682 and it consists in a certain novel arrangement of the drivingmechanism; also, in a peculiar arrangement of the forward or steeringaxle; further, in a brake of certain novel construction, as hereinaftermore fully set forth.

This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichFigure 1 represents a vertical longitudinal section. Fig. 2 is aninverted plan view; Figs. 3 and 4, detail views of the pawl-arms.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

The letters A B designate the axles, supporting a body, 0, and D I) E Ethe wheels, two on each axle.

To the rear axle, A, is fixed a ratchet-wheel, F, and on opposite sidesof this wheel are located arms G, swinging loosely on the axles, andeach carrying a pawl, H, adapted to engage the ratchet-wheel.

The letter I designates a frame arranged to oscillate on pivots it uponthe body 0, and carrying handles 1) at its ends, this frame beingyoke-shaped.

J designates compound levers, connected to the pawl-arms Gat one end andto the handleframe I at the other end K, toggle-levers, connected to therear axle, A, at one end and to the handle-frame at the other end,andLlinks connecting the compound levers to the togglelevers. lVhen anoscillating motion is imparted to the handle-frame I the toggle-levers Kare alternately spread apart and drawn together, and these levers act onthe pawl-arms G through the compound levers J and links L to oscillatethe same, moving the pawl-arms in opposite directions, whereby the pawlsare caused to engage the ratchet-wheel and a continuous forward motionis given thereto.

The pawls H are weighted at their inner ends to remain in gear with theratchet-wheel F, and the pawl-arms G are provided with stops 8, whichare arranged to come in contact with each otherin the motions of thearms, thus regulating such motions.

It will be perceived that the driving mechanism above described differsfrom that described in my before-mentioned patent,in that thetoggle-levers K are connected to the axle A instead or an independentshaft, while the motion of the levers is produced by the handle-frame Iin lieu of the saddle.

If desired, the driving mechanism-cache utilized for giving motion to asewing-machine or the like, as by elevating the body 0 from the ground,removing one of the rear wheels, D, and substituting therefor a pulleyto be connected with the part to be driven.

The forward axle, B, is yoke-shaped, and is secured to a centralsteeringpost, N, which passes up through the body 0 and carries pedalsat its upper end, as at d. On opposite sides of this post N are locatedsprings O,

which are connected to the body 0 at one end and to the axle B at theother end, so that by the jointaction of these springs the axle is keptin a transverse or normal posit-ion. In other words, when the axle B isturned for steering the vehicle and released it is returned to atransverse position, thus bringing the forward wheels into line with therear Wheels. The arrangement of these springs 0 is capable of variousmodifications, which will readily suggest themselves to a skilledmechanic.

The letter P indicates an elbow-lever,which is pivoted to the body 0 atsuch a point that the arm e of this lever is opposite to the rear wheel,D, and may be brought into contact with this wheel, thus acting as abrake. For the purpose of throwing said arm 6 of the elbow-lever intocontact with the wheel D, I connect to its other arm,f, a reciprocatingrod, Q, which is guided vertically in the body 0 and provided with asuitablehandle atits upper end.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of therear or driving axle, the ratchet-wheel fixed to the rear axle, thepawlarms mounted loosely on the rear axle, the oscillating handle frame,the compound levers, connected to the pawl-arms at one end and to thehandle frame at the other end, and the links connecting the compoundlevers to the toggle-levers, for the purpose set forth.

2. The yoke-shaped front axle, B, having attached to its central portionthe vertical steerin g-post N, which projects through the vehiclebodyand has its upper end provided with pedals d,in combination with twosprings, 0, connected at their rear ends directlywith the bottom of thevehicle-body and at their forward ends directly to the yoked axle onopposite sides of the steering-post, substantially as described.

3. The elbow-lever P, pivoted at its angle to the vehicle-body G, andhaving a lateral brakearm, 6, and arm f, in combination with the ver- 15 tically-guided rod Q, connected With the armf of the elbow-lever,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE LOWDEN. [L. s.]

WVitnesses:

J. VAN SAN'rVOORD, E. F. KASTENHUBER.

